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  • Essay / A Social Commentary on Illustrations from the Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

    This book is reminiscent of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, although on a much more sophisticated level. Both books attempt to tell a story using visual images, primarily for humorous effect. They are both told in the first person and seek to tell the story of a young adult going through life, dealing with issues like school, romance, and family. And they each use humor to do it. It is, however, important to note where they differ in terms of illustrations and this defines a critical aspect of what defines Alexie's novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Besides sheer quantity (Diary of a Wimpy Kid has illustrations on almost all, if not all, pages, while ATD's drawings are more scattered), the drawings in Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian each give some sort of subtle statement (no alliteration intended). While Jeff Kinney's comedy series is primarily for entertainment, Sherman Alexie's novel is full of political and social commentary that discusses the roles different ethnicities play in modern society; the illustrations enhance and emphasize the author's point of view by visually exaggerating the problems Junior faces. The protagonist's perspective on such racism - however troubling it is in text form - is expanded by the drawings which further his arguments. As his character is introduced, it is revealed that a large part of Junior's identity lies in his creative spirit. cartoons and drawings, so the first ones included in the novel are light and cheerful. However, as the social commentary begins to develop, the subtle statements begin to come through, and they become more and more serious as the story progresses..